Origin
Des Plaines, IL
Afternoon in Des Plaines on Saturday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Plaines, IL to Jerseyville, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 21m
Distance
284.6 mi
458 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
28 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 8m
★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 47m
8 PM
5h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Plaines, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Jerseyville, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Des Plaines to Jerseyville is 284.6 miles and takes about 5 hours 21 minutes via Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region from the Chicago suburbs down into the central part of the state. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. If you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points, this route offers a practical path.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
142.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 119.4 mi | 2h 13m |
| I 55 | 64.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 72 | 37.2 mi | 39m |
| United States Route 67 | 20.4 mi | 23m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 17.5 mi | 22m |
| North 5th Street | 14 mi | 16m |
| South State Avenue | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| 1440 E | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 119.4 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Jerseyville, IL.
1
Start on Henry Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Henry Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Des Plaines River Road
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
4
Merge onto I 294
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 23
Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 55
119 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
37 mi
·
39 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 67 South: Alton
13
Merge onto US 67
12 mi
·
13 min
·
United States Route 67
14
Continue on US 67
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
1440 E
15
Continue on US 67
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North State Street
16
Continue on US 67
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South State Avenue
17
Continue on US 67
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
18
Continue on US 67
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
United States Route 67
19
Continue on US 67
14 mi
·
16 min
·
North 5th Street
20
Turn right onto West Exchange Street
143 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Exchange Street
21
Arrive at destination
West Exchange Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 21-minute duration, starting your drive in Des Plaines in the morning will allow ample time to reach Jerseyville before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can be strategic about when and where you choose to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 119.4-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, as services might be less frequent. This is a comfortable single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about finding overnight accommodations.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 142.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 63 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.3 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jerseyville, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Des Plaines, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Plaines, IL
This is one driving day of about 284.6 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Des Plaines, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 119.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 18.6 and 205.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
18.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
19.8 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 23
Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
7
20.5 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
140.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
6
205.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
|
I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.49 one way
$88.99 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $48.85 | $97.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $54.77 | $109.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.84 | $125.67 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.05
Tri-state Tollway
(17.5 mi)
$1.05
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
28 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Holiday Inn Express - Tesla Supercharger
Des Plaines, IL
Tesla
52 DCFC
ORD Gigahub, Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines, IL
BP_PULSE
40 DCFC
GFCS LLC Melrose Park
Chicago, IL
IN_CHARGE
18 DCFC
Chicago Travel Plaza - Tesla Supercharger
Chicago, IL
Tesla
14 DCFC
Abt Electronics - Tesla Supercharger
Glenview, IL
Tesla
10 DCFC
Fashion Outlets of Chicago - Tesla Supercharger
Rosemont, IL
Tesla
10 DCFC
Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare
Rosemont, IL
NAYAX_ENERGY
8 DCFC
Golf Mill Ford
Niles, IL
EVXY
6 DCFC
Tesla: 5
EVXY: 4
eVgo Network: 3
Blink Network: 3
NAYAX_ENERGY: 3
BP_PULSE: 3
IN_CHARGE: 2
ChargePoint Network: 2
NOODOE: 1
Electrify America: 1
Non-Networked: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.4 | 1 | $29.88 | $13.66 |
| Efficient EV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.90 | $11.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.8 | 1 | $39.84 | $18.21 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Jerseyville, IL
Afternoon in Jerseyville on Saturday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
142 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 206.1
View on nps.gov
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 19.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 85% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 119.4 miles, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent highway driving. While the profile is largely interstate, the landscape will gradually shift as you move south, offering a typical Midwest highway experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 119.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.6 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 284.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Des Plaines, IL and Jerseyville, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis and Springfield.
St. Louis
19.8 mi in
|
~26m
Springfield
140.3 mi in
|
~2h 42m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting in Des Plaines, IL
Full guide →Founded 1852
Des Plaines is in Chicagoland. It is an inner-ring, northwest suburb of Chicago with two distinct portions: a suburban northern portion reminiscient of other, nearby northwest suburbs (including Niles, Park Ridge, and Mount Prospect), as well as a built-up southern portion with the businesses, hotels, and other amenities of the O'Hare Airport corridor (much like Rosemont, Chicago's O'Hare neighborhood, and Elk Grove Village).
Top landmarks
- • McDonald's #1 Store Museum — former McDonald's spot
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 284.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Jerseyville, IL covers 284.6 miles and takes about 5h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, I 72. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.3 miles from Des Plaines, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 284.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Des Plaines, IL and Jerseyville, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis and Springfield.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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